Coil structure for electromagnetic stimulation of a process within a living organism, device using such coil structure and method of driving

Abstract

A distributed electromagnetic coil structure for applying a time varying electromagnetic field to a population of living organisms is described. The coil structure comprises at least a substantially planar first coil sub-structure. The first coil sub-structure comprises at least a first wire of a predetermined shape and a least a second wire of a predetermined shape, wherein said first and second wire are shaped to define one or more of first cells. An electromagnetic field is generated by said first cells when a current runs through said first coil sub-structure.

1 . A distributed electromagnetic coil structure for applying a time varying electromagnetic field to a population of living organisms, said coil structure comprising at least a substantially planar first coil sub-structure, said first coil sub-structure comprising at least a first wire of a predetermined shape and a least a second wire of a predetermined shape, wherein said first and second wire are shaped to define one or more of first cells, said electromagnetic field being generated by said first cells when a current runs through said first coil sub-structure. 
   
   
       2 . The coil structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said coil structure further comprises at least one substantially planar second coil sub-structure defined by said second wire of said first coil sub-structure and at least a third wire of a predetermined shape, wherein said second and third wire are shaped to define a one or more of second cells, said electromagnetic field being generated by said second cells when a current runs through said second coil sub-structure. 
   
   
       3 . The coil structure according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of said first or second wire comprise a substantially meandering or a block-wave-shaped or a sawtooth-shaped wire. 
   
   
       4 . The coil structure according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of said first coil substructures are arranged side by side extending over a surface area and wherein the planes of said coil sub-structures all lie within a plane which is substantially parallel to said surface area. 
   
   
       5 . The coil structure according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of said first coil substructures are arranged side by side extending over a surface area and wherein the planes of said coil sub-structures are arranged substantially perpendicular to said surface area. 
   
   
       6 . The coil structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the area of said cells is chosen from a range between 0.01 to 1000 m 2 , in particular between 0.1 and 100 m 2 . 
   
   
       7 . A distributed electromagnetic transducer for applying a time varying electromagnetic field to population of living organisms kept in or spread over a large area S, said distributed transducer comprising at least a first coil structure and a second coil structure, said first coil structure and second coil structure are arranged under or in or above a volume defined by said large area S and a predetermined height of dimensions much smaller than the dimensions defining said large area S, wherein said first coil structure and second coil structure, each comprises at least a wire having a distributed shape, and wherein when in use said first coil structure exposes for a first time period a first sub-volume of said volume to a time varying electromagnetic field and said second coil structure exposes for a second time period a second sub-volume of said volume to a time varying electromagnetic field, wherein said first time period and first sub-volume are substantially different from said second time period and second sub-volume respectively. 
   
   
       8 . An electromagnetic coil structure adapted for applying over a large area a time varying electromagnetic field to living organisms, said coil structure comprising at least a first, second and third wire of a predetermined spatially distributed shape, said first, second and third wire being shaped to define one or more first cells and one or more second cells, wherein when in use said electromagnetic field is generated substantially by said one or more first cells when current runs through said first and second wire and said electromagnetic field is generated substantially by said one or more second cells when a current runs through said second and third wire. 
   
   
       9 . A system adapted to generate electromagnetic stimulation of processes within living organisms when applied to at least a part of a body of said organisms, comprising at least one distributed electromagnetic coil structure according to  claim 1 , said system further comprising an attraction device configured for attracting and/or restricting living animals to the vicinity of at least one of said cells. 
   
   
       10 . A system for applying a time varying electromagnetic field to a large population of living organisms kept in or spread over a large area, comprising at least a distributed electromagnetic coil structure, and a generator configured to apply a time varying signal to said coil structure, wherein the system further comprises attraction device for attracting and/or restricting living animals to the vicinity of said coil structure. 
   
   
       11 . The system according to  claim 9 , wherein said attraction device comprises a drink supply or a food supply or a light source or a milking robot or oxygenation device for local oxygen enrichment of water, such as a fresh water supply or an air blower. 
   
   
       12 . A device for applying a time varying electromagnetic field to a population of living organisms comprising at least a transducer and a generator configured to apply a time varying signal to the transducer, wherein the transducer is adapted for applying the electromagnetic field to at least part of the body and wherein the amplitude of said field is time dependent and comprises a spectrum of frequencies in which some frequencies or frequency areas are more strongly present than others, characterized in that said transducer comprises at least one distributed electromagnetic coil structure according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       13 . A method of driving a distributed electromagnetic coil structure, comprising:
 providing a distributed electromagnetic coil structure, said coil structure comprising at least a substantially planar first coil sub-structure, said first coil sub-structure comprising at least a first wire of a predetermined shape and a least a second wire of a predetermined shape, wherein said first and second wire are shaped to define one or more of first cells, wherein said coil structure further comprises at least one substantially planar second coil sub-structure defined by said second wire of said first coil sub-structure and at least a third wire of a predetermined shape, wherein said second and third wire are shaped to define a one or more of second cells,   applying a first current for a predetermined first time period to said first coil sub-structure such that an electromagnetic field is generated in at least one of said first cells,   applying a second current for a predetermined second time period to said second coil sub-structure such that an electromagnetic field is generated in at least one of said second cells,   
     wherein said first and second time period start at different times.